Boxoffice-January.03.1953

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TORONTO
T azanis Phillips has been elected a director
of the Montreal Life Insurance Co. He
also is director of Empire-Universal Films
and Consolidated Theatres of Montreal . . .
Impresario Tom Daley of the University
whipped up "April in Paris" for his New
Year's eve offering, while Manager Len Bishop
at Shea's had "The I Don't Care Girl" for
the same occasion. Fred TrebUcock of the
Imperial and Marc Hirsch of the Eglinton
had "The Stooge" to see the old year out.
Harry F. Wilson of the Capitol. Chatham,
came through as the winner of Dan Krendel's
ballyhoo contest, taking down $100 against
all FPC managers in the western Ontario
district. Second and third were Jim Mc-
Donough of the Tivoli. Hamilton, and Bill
Burke of the Capitol, Brantford. Bill Trudell
of the Capitol, London, won the special
prize for the best exploitation showing in any
one of the 13 weeks of the drive.
George T. Booth, who produced Canada's
fir.st sound picture. "The Bells," in Toronto
back in 1932, arranged an exhibition of 14 of
his paintings in the art gallery of the Hyland
Theatre through an arrangement with Manager
Vic Nowe. Booth has retained the original
print of hLs film venture . . . Art Arthur,
brother of Hye Bossin of Film Productions
of Canada, has been ordered to
report to the White House in Washington in
January for duty.
The sales promotion contest of Theatre
Confections resulted in Alex Barclay of the
Strand. Trail. B. C. winning a trip to Hawaii.
Group winners, all of whom received
ten shares of Famous Players' stock from
President Jack Fitzgibbons of the subsidiary
company, included Ned Hill, Richmond Hill,
Ont.; Bruce Fraser, Centre. Windsor; P.
Young. Grand, Winnipeg; D. Letts, Strand.
Vancouver, and B. Hamelin. Montreal.
A conductor and producer with Famous
Players Canadian Corp. for many years,
Roy Locksley has been elected full-time secretary-treasurer
of the Toronto musicians
union for a term of five years. He will have
charge of public relations. The Toronto projectionists'
Local 173 has re-elected James
Sturgess as president and George Jones as
secretary. Solly Cohen, who hit the jackpot
in the Irish Sweepstakes this year, is sergeant
at arms.
Gordon Fleming is appearing as organist
in the program at the Capitol, Windsor.
. . .
Lindsay Martyn has been named manager
of the Savoy at Hamilton by Canadian Odeon.
following the transfer of George Sheppard to
the Odeon at Peterboro. position from which
The
Claude L. Hunter resigned recently
arrival of Leighton Brill and Ben Kamsler
from New York was accompanied by the
announcement that their tent show, "Melody
Pair." would not return to Dufferin Park race
track here where it had been operated for two
summers. The tent Ls being moved to Montreal.
The juvenile matinee Saturday at the
Famous Players College was graced by the
presence of Mrs. Wallace McCutcheon and
Mrs. George L. Dunn, co-chairmen of the
screening committee of the Children's Film
Library committee of Canada. They were
shown through the theatre by Bert Brown
from the head office and Manager Mort
Margolius.
Manager Jim MeDonough of the Players
Hamilton, had a handsome setting for
Tivoli.
the New Year's eve Frolic at the theatre . .
after a highly successful regime as Canadian
publicity director for Warner Bros. here. P.
A. Ranicar has arranged to move to Denver.
Colo., because of the health of his wife. He
has received a Warner Bros, appointment
there.
AN OPEN LETTER TO ALL SHOWMEN
The last official act of Lou Davidson as
REMEMBER THE GOOD OLD DAYS?
R. M. SAVINI
Back in early 1933, we started Astor on the big reissue road which
resulted in a great success for us and our franchise distributors. As
a result, the reissue was born and other Independents followed suit
tabbing Astor, the "Father of the Reissue."
A great part of this success stemmed from the good old showmanship
days! . . . How many of you showmen remember the thrill it was to
plan a small exploitation campaign and be rewarded with above
normal business—and the cost of this campaign—practically nU compared
to the grosses. Believe me, we are not preaching, but bringing
back fond memories of days gone by that can very well b8 again.
Back in those days, copy like—"Back BY POPULAR REQUEST .
.
HUNDREDS OP PATRONS DEMANDED THE RETURN OF THIS
GREAT MOTION PICTURE"—and backed by a little honest showmanship,
ALWAYS scored top results at your boxoffice! IT CAN
HAPPEN AGAIN—AGAIN and AGAIN. Good motion pictures, like
good stage plays, are worth repeating over and over again, especially when you can
snare a big reissue at a fair rental leaving a larger profit.
Sincerely,
R. M. Savini, President
PEERLESS FILMS—277 Victorio St.—Toronto ASTOR PICTURES CORP.
PEERLESS FILMS—S97S Monklond Ave.—Montrcol
jg West 46th St N. Y. C.
1952 chairman of the house committee of
Toronto Variety Tent was to sponsor a fund
among the barkers for a year-end bonus for
the employes at the Variety clubrooms. No
gratuities are permitted ordinarily throughout
the year . Lester, exhibitor, has
been appointed chairman of arrangements for
the annual dinner of the Canadian Picture
Pioneers February 11 in the Crystal ballroom
of the King Edward hotel here.
Legislature of Ontario
May Revise Theatre Act
TORONTO—Proposed amendments to the
theatres and cinematographs act are expected
to be brought before the first 1953 session of
the Ontario legislature which is scheduled to
open February 12 at Queen's Park.
The Motion Picture Theatres Ass'n of Ontario
has submitted a brief in which a number
of suggested changes in the outmoded
regulations have been outlined for the consideration
of the government. The last revisions
were approved 15 years ago.
Following the recent conference of provincial
censor boards here and the move in
the province of Quebec to regulate television
films, it is possible the amending bill in
Ontario will provide some form of TV censorship.
A set of regulations for the control of drivein
theatres, unknown in 1937 when the code
was revised, may be incorporated in the new
rules, as well as clauses for film grading and
the admission of juveniles. Newsreels may be
removed from ceniorship requirements in all
cases.
'Romeo and Juliet' Filming
To Be Done in Italy
TORONTO—John DavLs of London has
advised the J. Arthur Rank Organization of
Canada, of which he is a director, that the
parent company has effected a deal with the
Italian enterprise. Universalcine. for the joint
mainly on
production of "Romeo and Juliet."
location in and around Verona. Italy.
The Rank Organization will combine with
Universalcine to film a script in English and
Italian versions, the writing of which has
been done by Renato CasteUani, who will
select the English cast.
The production team will consist of Sandro
Ghenzi. producer; Joseph Janni as associate
producer, and Dallas Bower, dialog director
of the English version.
FPC Pays 50 Cents
TORONTO—The thousands of Famous
Players shareholders received a substantial
year-end present in the form of a special
dividend. The usual rate of 30 cents for the
quarter was raised to 35 cents to which was
added a 15-cent bonus for a total of 50 cents.
Metro's romantic comedy. "Years Ago," will
be directed by George Cukor. Comedienne
Mary Wickes plays a character lead.
Popcorn suppliers to Canada's leoding Independent
theofres from coast-to-coast.
YORK CONFECTIONS LTD.
277 Victorio Street Toronto 2, Ontorio
84 BOXOFFICE January 3, 1953